SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP), Mar 13 - Federal, state and local transit officials say the long-awaited construction to extend Bay Area Rapid Transit service to San Jose will begin next month.

Transportation leaders on Monday signed final documents pledging $900 million in federal funds for the $2.3 billion Berryessa extension, scheduled to open in 2016.

The money will fund a 10-mile BART link from Fremont to San Jose's Berryessa district.

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority CEO Michael Burns called the occasion a celebration as he signed the documents along with Federal Transit Administration deputy administrator Therese McMillan at City Hall.

Groundbreaking is set for April 12.

Officials are now eyeing a proposed $4 billion extension that would connect an underground link from downtown San Jose to a street level link in Santa Clara.